My Vacay is Two Years Old Today!
It feels like I’ve been here a couple of months, not a couple of years! Never too old to learn, though, and I’m learning how to kill time like a pro. I’m applying the same motivation that allowed me to work day and night in my office to my newfound leisure time. :-) Not surprisingly, this year’s status is the same as last year... “All good, still.”
In a few short weeks, I’ll be boarding a plane again for the first time in more than two years. I’m not looking forward to air travel, but I am looking forward to seeing Australia and hanging with the Supanova Conventions team. If this is news to you, I’ll be doing consecutive shows in Australia on the first and second weekends of April. Click the ‘previous post’ link below to find more information and links.
Hope to see you in Melbourne or the Gold Coast! And if I make travel plans during the latter half of the year, I’ll jump back on here and spread the word.
Finally Touching Down (Under) in Australia!
It’s been a long wait but I’ll finally see a bit of Australia in 2024. The folks at SUPANOVA COMIC CON and GAMING mount “consecutive weekend” shows down under three times each year. 2024 kicks off with Melbourne (April 6-7) followed by Gold Coast (April 13-14). I’m scheduled to attend both events and certainly looking forward to hanging with the comics community at both locales.
For ticket info or to follow future guest announcements and other news items, click the image above or this link… https://www.supanova.com.au/events/melbourne-2024/event-home/
My current plan is to be signing during show hours and to have a limited amount of my prints available. Photos are welcome. To answer one of the email questions that is already arriving in my inbox, I’m not planning to sketch at the show. I’ve been playing the part of a “fully retired” guy these last few years and all things work-related have been completely absent from that lifestyle. :-)
See you soon, mates!
SuperManila Con Dec 15-17
I’m returning to the convention trail next month! If you can call attending a show that’s literally within walking distance “back on the trail.” I’ll have a table there on Saturday and Sunday.
Instead of going into great detail here, I’ll invite you to browse the guest list on the above image (current as of this post) and to either click the image or this link https://www.facebook.com/supermanila.ph to visit the SuperManila Facebook page for regular updates and announcements between now and the show weekend.
Looking forward to reuniting with the Filipino comics community next month!
My Vacation Is One Year Old Today!
Site updates are among the many things I’ve ignored over the past year in favor of just chillaxing. I thought I should at least check in to mark this anniversary.
The Philippines has been one of my favorite vacation destinations for over 30 years, and I’ve always left open the idea of more extended stays during my retirement years. This time last year, I arrived here without a concrete exit plan. Today is much the same… celebrating my anniversary and still without a concrete exit plan. Comfortable living, fine dining, good company, and low stress best describe the past year. So, “All good!” is my message to those wondering how I’m doing.
A few things to know on this anniversary…
I find it relatively easy to ignore all things work-related here. No desire to sit and sketch traditionally or digitally. No time to spend with social media. Not even checking emails daily. Email is still the best method if we need to connect.
Obviously, not accepting requests for sigs on mailed items while I’m on the other side of the planet.
Unknown when I’ll be stateside again? When I do travel there (surely sometime before the Secret Wars movie drops in 2025), the trip will likely include some signing opportunities and a convention or two. I’ll get the word out well ahead of time. If you haven’t already, click that subscribe button in my menu bar to be among the first to receive notifications.
Everyone stay well until we cross paths again. I admit to missing mixing it up with fans, friends, fellow pros, dealers, and promoters along the convention trail. Hopefully, again. :-)
04/03 Whatnot and Instagram art…
NOTE: (There has been some confusion lately due to the fact that the Torpedo Comics ‘Whatnot’ announcements show an image of the sketch cover of the week. I’m confused too since the original art sketch cover is auctioned over at the Torpedo Comics live Instagram sales each Sunday, not as part of the Whatnot auction. Head to Instagram for the sketch cover. Head to Whatnot for remarked books and other signed items. The retro print of the week should be available on both Whatnot and Instagram but I’m hearing mixed reports from collectors. I’ll try to find out what’s happening over at Torpedo HQ and report back here next week.)
A new sketch cover, remarks, signed prints, and signed comics are again up for grabs this weekend via my Whatnot auction page and Torpedo’s live Instagram sales.
The Sunday Whatnot auction will launch as usual at 2:00 PM PST with books, and prints, and look for some remarked books again. (From the Whatnot app, follow “mikezeck” and tune in on Sunday afternoon.)
The blank sketch cover auction is on the Torpedo Comic’s Instagram live show on Sunday which is an all-day affair with breaks between sessions. The winner of the sketch cover will be announced at the end of the day after any final bids. (On Instagram, follow “torpedocomics” and tune in to their live events.)
Sunday’s sketch cover and limited edition retro poster below…
03/27 Whatnot and Instagram art…
A new sketch cover, remarks, signed prints, and signed comics are again up for grabs this weekend via my Whatnot auction page and Torpedo’s live Instagram sales.
The Sunday Whatnot auction will launch as usual at 2:00 PM PST with books, and prints, and look for some remarked books again. (From the Whatnot app, follow “mikezeck” and tune in on Sunday afternoon.)
The blank sketch cover auction is on the Torpedo Comic’s Instagram live show on Sunday which is an all-day affair with breaks between sessions. The winner of the sketch cover will be announced at the end of the day after any final bids. (On Instagram, follow “torpedocomics” and tune in to their live events.)
Sunday’s sketch cover and limited edition retro poster below…
03/20 Whatnot and Instagram art…
A new sketch cover, remarks, signed prints, and signed comics are again up for grabs this weekend via my Whatnot auction page and Torpedo’s live Instagram sales.
The Sunday Whatnot auction will launch as usual at 2:00 PM PST with books, and prints, and look for some remarked books again. (From the Whatnot app, follow “mikezeck” and tune in on Sunday afternoon.)
The blank sketch cover auction is on the Torpedo Comic’s Instagram live show on Sunday which is an all-day affair with breaks between sessions. Look for another Mike Zeck-themed sale from 4:00 - 5:00 PM PST. The winner of the sketch cover will be announced at the end of the day after any final bids. (On Instagram, follow “torpedocomics” and tune in to their live events.)
Sunday’s sketch cover and limited edition retro poster below…
03/13 Whatnot and Instagram art…
A new sketch cover, remarks, signed prints, and signed comics are again up for grabs this weekend via my Whatnot auction page and Torpedo’s live Instagram sales.
The Sunday Whatnot auction will launch as usual at 2:00 PM PST with books, and prints, and look for some remarked books again. (From the Whatnot app, follow “mikezeck” and tune in on Sunday afternoon.)
The blank sketch cover auction is on the Torpedo Comic’s Instagram live show on Sunday which is an all-day affair with breaks between sessions. Look for another Mike Zeck-themed sale from 4:00 - 5:00 PM PST. The winner of the sketch cover will be announced at the end of the day after any final bids. (On Instagram, follow “torpedocomics” and tune in to their live events.)
I’m out of the country this month and unlikely to join the live chat since Sunday afternoon is still middle of the night for me. I’ll hopefully get back into the conversation soon.
Sunday’s sketch cover and limited edition retro poster below…
03/06 Whatnot and Instagram live sales…
A new sketch cover, remarks, signed prints, and signed comics are once again on tap this weekend via my Whatnot auction page and Torpedo’s live Instagram sales.
The Sunday Whatnot auction will launch as usual at 2:00 PM PST with books, and prints, and look for some remarked books again. (From the Whatnot app, follow “mikezeck” and tune in on Sunday afternoon.)
The blank sketch cover auction will again move to Torpedo Comic’s Instagram live show on Sunday which is an all-day affair with breaks between sessions. Look for another Mike Zeck-themed sale from 4:00 - 5:00 PM PST. The winner of the sketch cover will be announced at the end of the day after any final bids. (On Instagram, follow “torpedocomics” and tune in to their live events.)
I’m in Los Angeles this weekend taking care of some pre-travel requirements before heading over to the Philippines for some vacay. Some of you know that I was in Las Vegas all last month and practically on staff at Torpedo HQ. I’ll miss the Torpedo crew and sitting in on the live sale events. I’ll hopefully have an opportunity to tune into the Sunday live sales from time to time via the live chat feature. Look for more new art on the live sale events in the coming weeks.
Sunday’s sketch cover and limited edition retro poster below…
02/27 Whatnot and Instagram art…
This weekend’s online action will be structured much like last weekend’s…
The Sunday Whatnot auction will launch as usual at 2:00 PM pacific time with books, and prints, and look for some remarked books again. I have a few more days in Vegas so I’ll make my way over to the Torpedo Comics studio one last time to answer your questions via the chat feature. (From the Whatnot app, follow “mikezeck” and tune in on Sunday afternoon.)
The blank sketch cover auction will again move to Torpedo Comic’s Instagram live show on Sunday which is an all-day affair with breaks between sessions. Look for another Mike Zeck-themed sale from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM pacific time. The winner of the sketch cover will be announced at the end of the day after any final bids. (On Instagram, follow “torpedocomics” and tune in to their live events.)
I'm still planning to supply some blank cover sketches for these weekend online events and hopefully join in on some of the live chats during my travels. I'll also do my best to preview the newer items here.
Sunday’s sketch cover and retro poster below… (I believe the retro poster will premiere on Instagram this weekend?)
Sunday Whatnot and Instagram offerings…
A small change this weekend.
The Sunday Whatnot auction will launch as usual at 2:00 PM pacific time with a wide range of books, prints, and as a result of comments in the chat room, look for a remarked book or two on this weekend’s show. I’ll still be in Vegas this weekend and plan to again be in the Torpedo Comics studio to answer your questions via the chat feature. (From the Whatnot app, follow “mikezeck” and tune in on Sunday afternoon.)
The blank sketch cover auction moves over to Torpedo Comic’s Instagram live show on Sunday which is an all-day affair with breaks between sessions. This will allow collectors to tune in at any time during live sales on Sunday and place a bid on the sketch cover. From 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM pacific time, the live Instagram sales will heavily feature Zeck products. The winner of the sketch cover will be announced at the end of the day after any final bids. (On Instagram, follow “torpedocomics” and tune in to their live events.)
Sunday’s sketch cover and retro poster below…
Teaming up with the Torpedo Comics crew to bring you…
…original art blank cover sketches, prints, new limited edition prints, signed books, and more.
I’M ON WHATNOT! Torpedo Comics (torpedocomics) runs daily live auctions on Whatnot. They’ve created my Whatnot identity (mikezeck) and will run frequent live auctions from that identity offering my original art or other comics and prints. -Download the Whatnot app, register, search for and follow mikezeck, and look for notifications of upcoming auctions.- I’m a bit tardy with this post because my Whatnot auctions launched last weekend. The second one is scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday, Feb 13) at 1:00 PM Pacific time.
Click images below to view (1) Spider-Man original art sketch on a Secret Wars blank, sold during the Feb 6 “mikezeck” Whatnot live auction. (2) Captain America limited edition ‘retro’ print which premiered on the Feb 6 “mikezeck” Whatnot live auction. (3) Captain America original art sketch on a New Avengers #1 blank, available on tomorrow’s Sunday, Feb 13 “mikezeck” Whatnot live auction beginning at 1:00 PM Pacific time. (4) Captain America limited edition ‘retro’ print premiering on tomorrow’s, Sunday, Feb 13 “mikezeck” Whatnot live auction beginning at 1:00 PM Pacific time.
I’m planning to make more sketch covers available throughout the year.
I was in the Torpedo Comics studio during last week’s live auction taking questions from bidders via the Whatnot chat feature. I’ll be in the studio again for tomorrow’s live auction as well. Drop in to say “hi”.
Torpedo Comics also conducts daily live sales and auctions on Instagram. I suggest following them on Instagram (torpedocomics) since my art, comics, and posters find their way into those live events as well.
And…
I’m planning to resurrect my shop with the help of Torpedo Comics. I had to close my shop page when I entered “travel-mode” last year. With Torpedo managing the shop, I can once again offer my signed prints, a new selection of limited edition prints, and signed comics. I’ll leave open the possibility of the occasional sketch but you’re much more likely to find original art by following “mikezeck” on Whatnot, “torpedocomics” on Whatnot, and “torpedocomics” on Instagram. The shop is under construction and I’ll give a heads up here when it goes live.
Check this page from time to time or hit the “subscribe” button in the menu bar to receive news updates. Follow “mikezeck” on Whatnot. Follow “torpedocomics” on Whatnot and Instagram, @TorpedoComics on Facebook, and @TorpedoComicsLV on Twitter.
Cincinnati: The Exception to the Rule…
I’m still not booking shows… but…
In 2020, I made good on my promise to dial way back on shows and planned just one - Cincinnati. So, in truth, Covid came along and decimated my entire convention schedule that year - Cincinnati. Shows are back this year and so am I, at least for one show - Cincinnati. So if your September 17th weekend is open and you’re within commuting distance, come see me in - you know where :-)
Lots of Cincy info on their site… https://cincinnaticomicexpo.com/
When and Where to See My Art Exhibit at Ringling
In Monday’s post, I mentioned the planned exhibit of my art at my alma mater, Ringling College of Art and Design. Here’s a link to the announcement post on the Ringling Galleries Facebook page… https://www.facebook.com/rcadgallery/posts/10159704846253060 There will be an official gallery opening event sometime in the latter half of October. I’m planning to attend. I’ll post here again when that is announced.
At Torpedo Comics HQ…
Earlier this month, John Beatty and I spent four days with the Torpedo Comics Las Vegas crew placing signatures on as much of their back stock as possible. We signed comics, signed prints, remarqued some covers, and drew sketches on as many blank covers as we could handle. Since I’m mostly retired from doing these things from home or at shows, I would say that Torpedo is rapidly becoming the number one source for the items mentioned above.
Not just for me, but a source of signed/sketched items by other artists as well. Get friendly with them if you haven’t done so already. If you’re in the Vegas or SoCal area, I strongly suggest visiting one of their locations. If not, fret not! The Torpedo experience awaits you live and daily on Instagram… https://www.instagram.com/torpedocomics/ or you can visit their Facebook page… https://www.facebook.com/Torpedo-comics-333457673417419 or Twitter feed… https://twitter.com/TorpedoComicsLV
Travel Pics: Sarasota
It’s been 54 years since I first walked into that building behind me in the above pic.
Originally a hotel that opened in 1926, bought and converted to the art school in 1931, virtually unchanged when I attended Ringling School of Art in 1967, and now at age 95, still in use as office space for the Ringling College of Art and Design. Over the 50+ years since I attended, Ringling has expanded like crazy and continues to grow.
A request from the Ringling College to mount an exhibit of my art this fall prompted my latest visit to Sarasota, FL, to help prepare for the event. Thanks to Tim Jaeger (Director and Curator of Galleries and Exhibitions at Ringling) and Charles Costas (who is loaning a portion of his collection) for making it possible. The exhibit will open in mid-October and run through mid-December. I’ll post a direct link to information over the next day or two.
As usual, hanging out in Sarasota brings another opportunity to hang out with long-time friend, Michael White! Michael is a fellow Ringling alumnus, a Sarasota-based artist, caricaturist, and a teacher at Ringling. Thanks, as usual, for hosting me, Michael! :-)
A selection of Sarasota pics below…
Marvel Character Live Appearances - 1976
I was at the Miami Beach Convention Center for the International Auto Show, November 1976. So were special guests Spider-Man and the Hulk, compliments of Marvel Comics. A reasonably decent actor and suit for Spidey. I think I would have held back on Hulk appearances until I had a better solution in place. :-)
My “Closed” Status Remains in Place.
Many emails requesting a wide array of things are arriving in my inbox and have prompted me to add a "Requests" status page to my menu bar.
Those who browsed my previous site version know that my SHOP page and various other pages were inactive while I concentrated on vacation plans. I didn't see a reason to carry those still-inactive pages over to this site, but now I'm thinking that a page noting the status of my various requests is a good idea after all. A current reminder that everything remains in that "closed" state.
If anything changes, or if I hang the OPEN sign on one of my doors, I'll note it here on the news page. As with the previous site, mailing list members will receive notifications first. Note that if you were on the previous mailing list, you'd need to re-subscribe here using the Subscribe button in the menu bar.
Thanks,
-Mike
The Captured Collectibles Signature Opp is a Wrap.
After hooking up with Jim Shooter at a New England show and driving the books to John Beatty afterward, the Captured Collectibles crew showed up on my doorstep this weekend for the final round of the triple sigs opportunity.
After signing a hefty stack of books and remarking another handful, it’s a wrap. Thanks, Jayson, Monica, Jesus, and Roslyn, for making it easy and for an enjoyable dinner night out.
Pictured above are round one of the books with Zeck/Beatty remarks. With this, as with all other signings, it was, you’ll notice, heavily weighted toward Secret Wars #8s :-)
Amid the chaos, there comes a costume--!
My website has donned its black costume, and, like Spidey's black suit, it's a streamlined version.
- Gone are the Shop page and convention Information pages, which weren't active. I can reinstate them if needed, but for now, I'll use this News page for any art or appearance-related announcements.
- I've also limited the Work galleries to a few select images. Like my previous site, I've included a link in that section to my Adobe Portfolio Gallery, which contains a complete checklist of my work with images and descriptions.
- I'll still maintain a mailing list here and will notify those members of any updates. (Note - If you were on my previous mailing list, I'm unable to port that list to this site version. You'll need to re-subscribe here. Just use the main menu 'subscribe' button.)
The site is abbreviated, but it's also new. If you see typos, something amiss, or something broken, please give me a heads-up.
Thanks, -Mike